For the Record - Southern Virginia, September 2013

Anglers Park’s mountain bike trails are about to expand, thanks to a donation of almost 14 acres from Danville businessman Jay Barker. The donation will fill a gap between sections of the mountain bike trail, according to Bill Sgrinia, director of the city’s parks and recreation department. (Danville Register & Bee)

Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has launched its first commercial spinoff, Dan River Plants LLC, which uses tissue culture technology to replicate high-value horticulture and grass plants for conversion into bio-energy. The company will invest more than $1.3 million and create at least 27 jobs in Pittsylvania County’s Ringgold East Industrial Park, as part of its move and expansion from the Charles Hawkins Research Center at the IALR. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

The latest report for Danville’s key economic indicators for fiscal year 2013 points to continued progress. During this time, the Danville Office of Economic Development announced 800 jobs and $84 million investment from eight companies, according to the report. Most of the indicators are showing positive change in Danville’s economy. “As the announced businesses grow and River District development continues, the City of Danville hopes to see more positive change in the future,” the report concluded. (The News & Advance)

Starting spring 2014, Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville will be the first community college in the nation to offer the Innovation Engineering academic program. Innovation Engineering provides students with concrete skills to turn innovation from a random and risky event into a reliable system. Innovation Engineering will be offered to the local community through PHCC’s Workforce Development program. (The News & Advance)

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted to appropriate nearly $800,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Commission for an upcoming precision machining program at the Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center. The program — a $1.1 million endeavor by the county, Danville Community College and the tech center — will start this coming school year. Pittsylvania County will provide 10 percent (of the $787,690) in local matching funds, said County Administrator Dan Sleeper. (Danville Register & Bee)

Swedwood is changing its warehouse space, moving into the 152,000-square-foot former eToys building in Danville. The company had been leasing three former tobacco warehouses totaling 190,000 square feet, but water leaks prompted a move, said Wayne Southern, Swedwood’s finance manager. The former eToys space is 2 miles from the Swedwood plant at Cane Creek Centre, allowing the company to significantly save on transportation costs. The previous warehouses were nearly a dozen miles from the plant. (Danville Register & Bee)